In an effort to show that the Trumpcare health plan is completely different (and therefore better) than Obamacare, both Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Health Secretary Tom Price stressed that the new version can be printed on less paper than its predecessor. Yes, Price literally pointed at a stack of papers to prove that the GOP’s version, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), is better because it is a quicker read than Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
There didn’t seem to be a hint of sarcasm or joking in Price’s voice, as he truly claimed that stack size represents an improvement over Obamacare. The chuckling from a reporter in the background didn’t help matters:
“I’m glad [Sean Spicer] pointed out the bill is on the table there. Notice how thick that is. Some of you will recall I actually turned the pages and went through that piece of legislation in a YouTube. We are making certain, the process, the decisions that are going to be made by the federal government, but are going to be made by patients, families, and doctors.”
Here are the two stacks of paper side by side for comparison. Obamacare documents are on the right, and the GOP’s replacement is on the left:
Price said the goal of the bill (which doesn’t have an Obamacare nickname yet) is to decrease premiums. When pressed on whether the bill includes the Obama-era promise that patients can keep their current doctors, Price dodged: “Our goal is absolutely to make certain that individuals have the opportunity to select their physician.”
Watch—Tom Price *dodges* question on whether GOP health plan will result in millions losing insurance. pic.twitter.com/ntLQqhVf6T
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 7, 2017
In the wake of Republicans unveiling their Obamacare replacement, lawmakers have been trying to salvage a shaky roll out. Many of the provisions, which favor tax credits over mandates, have been criticized, with people chiding the GOP for rushing out the bill. Their case hasn’t been helped by people trying to defend it, including Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who said people need to make sacrifices (not buying iPhones) to afford health care. He was promptly roasted for his exaggerated comparison. Despite some early growing pains, Donald Trump seems to be a fan, tweeting that this is a process and that the AHCA will have more phases.
Also in the briefing, Sean Spicer attempted to use the same paper analogy.
Sean Spicer on bill sizes: “When you actually look at the difference, you realize this is what big government does” https://t.co/xTctwVGYrD
— CNN (@CNN) March 7, 2017